News About This Theater

The New Victoria Cinema opened on 22nd September 1930 with Tom Walls in “Rookery Nook” on the screen, plus on the stage “Follies of 1980” which was specially produced for the New Victoria Cinema, ‘this sparkling novelty presentation included speciality dancers, catchy songs and dazzling dresses’. It was built for and operated by Provincial Cinematograph Theatres(PCT) and Gaumont British Theatres chain. An enormous and very elaborate cine-variety house, the New Victoria Cinema had a stage 70 feet wide and 45 feet deep, ten dressing rooms. It was equipped with a Wurlitzer 3Manual/10Ranks theatre organ, which was opened by organist Leslie James. There was also a café, a 200-seat restaurant, and above the restaurant was a large ballroom.

The style was done in Italian Renaissance and the total seating capacity of 3,317 was split between 2,065 seats in the stalls, 509 in the mezzanine circle and 732 seats in the balcony, the latter two were entirely different levels but the balcony did not overhang the circle. There were two boxes on each side of the mezzanine circle containing 5 movable seats in each box. An enormous dome dominated the ceiling with a frieze running around three sides of the auditorium just below the ceiling. The projection suite was located between the two upper tiers.

The architect of this ‘super cinema’ was William Illingworth, and when it opened it was one of the largest cinemas in the UK. It remained in the top 10 of the biggest cinemas until sub-division in 1968.

The stage was well used by companies such as the major touring Ice Spectaculars, the Royal Festival Ballet and pop stars from The Beatles to Buddy Holly.

It was renamed Gaumont in 1950 but closed for alterations 30 November 1968. The circles were amalgamated into one level and split front to back to form two new cinemas seating 467 in Odeon 1 and 1,207 in Odeon 2. The stalls became a separate 2,000 seat bingo hall. The stage remained intact but was never used again. The new complex re-opened 21 August 1969 and the name changed to Odeon after the closure of the original Odeon (closed and demolished immediately after closure).

Later in 1987 the former ballroom was converted into the 244 seat Odeon 3. The magnificent original decoration was no longer visible in the auditorium areas and the resulting cinemas were comfortable but extremely bland.

A new entrance was formed for the cinema in the centre of the facade whilst the bingo hall retained the original grand entrance in one of the two domed towers.

The bingo operation was the first to close and the ground floor was boarded up. In 2000, a new 13-screen Odeon multiplex was constructed out of the town centre on the edge of Bradford and Pudsey, and the 3-screen Odeon closed on 2nd July 2000. The building is now deteriorating rapidly. Even if it were to reopen as a live concert or performance venue (unlikely) the sumptuous interior is irreplaceable.

Had it survived intact for just a few years more it would undoubtedly been listed and gained some redevelopment protection. The building has been under threat of demolition and redevelopment for several years, but many local citizens have opposed this and are trying to save the building.

In October 2012, the property development owners of the building offer to sell it to Bradford Council for £1.00 (one Pound).

I’ve been putting this off, so better to take the stake to the heart now than later.

Bradford New Vic/Gaumont/ODEON has been refused listing and is doomed, here’s a link.View link
Since I don’t live in Bradford, my opinion does not count and therefore, I resent my ‘Save this building’ comments here. They can do much better on the ODOEN/Paramount Newcastle which I’m near.
My guess is that BORG will do the dangerous and walk on the site, preventing the demoliton staff from destroying it. Then again, BORG knows not to do anything dangerous.

I didn’t inform BORG about said above article on my last comment and I will refuse to inform them about this, since I don’t live in Bradford and I’ve never been in the building properly.

Yes, you are reading that right. To be more justified, English Heritage is not allowing the New Victoria scheme to go ahead, including full demolition of the New Vic/Gaumont/Odeon. Now, if only BORG would submit their plans if a review period is set up again, instead of letting some ‘heartless’ developer come up with some smart alec solution that would involve destroying this as a cinema.

In spite of all the gloomy reports about the Victoria/Gaumont/Odeon over the last several years, the building is still standing.

Here is a revised link to Colin Sutton’s extensive history of the theatre, with pictures.

And here is a link to the site of Bradford Odeon Rescue Group which advocates for an appropriate renovation of the theatre. They publish an occasional newsletter, and there are links on the page if one wishes to view it.

This is a very difficult Project as there is already a Fine Theatre in Bradford.. “The Alhambra” The Lottery Fund only gives money Providing other monies are obtained.. Another place to look is the EU communities Fund… Good Luck..